Laurel F. McGiffert

Representative Client Work

• Worked closely with the president/chief executive officer and an executive vice president of a large medical insurance provider to successfully litigate and, ultimately, to arbitrate a $6 million employment claim filed by a former vice president who alleged race and sex discrimination, retaliation and the existence of a hostile work environment. The case was resolved in favor of Ms. McGiffert’s clients following a “no cause of action” ruling by the arbitrator.
• Claims against the then Detroit Public Schools superintendent were dismissed from a breach of contract dispute brought by a district consultant following the court’s approval of Ms. McGiffert’s aggressive defense and request for summary disposition. While the suit was ultimately settled by the district and consultant, the personal and financial interests of Ms. McGiffert’s client were protected.
• Successfully represented the personal media consultant of former Detroit Mayor in a very high profile case claiming the consultant intentionally leaked to the media the name of a confidential police informant. Trial in that matter ultimately led to a multi-million dollar verdict against the mayor, his chief of staff and the city. Ms. McGiffert’s client was dismissed from the case prior to trial.
• Successfully tried an employment matter involving claims of alleged sexual harassment and significant damages, obtaining a no cause of action judgment on behalf of a municipal employer
• Successfully tried an alleged wrongful death case brought by the estate of a minor who committed suicide, obtaining a judgment of no cause of action for the defendant, a large private retail company
• Extensive trial experience in medical liability, employment, municipal and other litigation matters
• Defends numerous hospitals, doctors and other healthcare professionals in medical malpractice lawsuits
• Extensive medical malpractice expertise in claims involving surgery, psychiatry, pathology, hematology, emergency medicine care, gynecology, etc., encompassing hospitals, clinics, and physicians’ offices, as well as emergency medicine (ER), inpatient and outpatient medical care
• Defends both public and private employers in labor and employment matters, including trials and arbitrations

Professional Affiliations

• State Bar of Michigan (Ethics Committee, 1989-1993)
• Detroit Metropolitan Bar Association
• Wolverine Bar Association  
• American Board of Trial Advocates
• Michigan Defense Trial Counsel
• ALFA International (DE&I Leaders Forum; DE&I Committee)

Community Involvement

• Oakland Mediation Center (Board of Directors)
• Power Company Kids Club (Board of Directors)
• American Heart Association (Volunteer Fund Raiser)
• Muscular Dystrophy Association (Volunteer Fund Raiser)
• Wayne County Easter Seal Society (Board of Directors, 1982-1990; President, Board of Directors, 1988-1990)
• CATCH - Caring Athletes Team for Children’s and Henry Ford Hospitals (Board of Trustees, past member)  

Lectures

• “Racial Justice and Equality, and How to Realize that Commitment,” Panelist, Michigan Lawyers Weekly" The Way Forward: A Plan for Boosting Diversity and Inclusion in Law Firms” webinar, Oct. 20, 2020